Residents
Water service
Clean, affordable water from the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer — so pure it needs no treatment.
Pay your bill
Pay online any time
Pay through the city’s secure payment portal — day or night. Have these handy:
- The name on the account
- Your account number — top right corner of your bill
- Your email address and phone number
City Hall also accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express in person or by phone at (208) 683-2101.
New in town?
Start or transfer service
New property owners within city limits need to put the water account in their name.
- 1
Complete the application
Fill out the Water Service & New Meter Installation Application and return it to City Hall.
- 2
Pay the $25 setup fee
Title companies usually collect it at closing and send it to the city. If yours didn’t, pay City Hall directly.
- 3
You’re set
Questions? Email cityhall@cityofathol.us or cityclerk@cityofathol.us, or call (208) 683-2101.
Estimate
What will my bill be?
Enter your monthly usage to estimate a residential bill at current rates.
Rates & fees
Water rates and fees
Set by Athol City Code Title 6, Chapter 2 (adopted 4/16/24).
| Service | Gallons | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Residential, 1-unit base rate | 12,000 | $58.00 |
| Residential, 2-unit base rate | 24,000 | $116.00 |
| Additional usage over base rate | per 1,000 | $2.00 |
| Commercial low | 20,000 | $100.00 |
| Commercial high | 40,000 | $200.00 |
| Account transfer (change of ownership) | — | $25.00 |
| Late fee | — | $15.00 |
| Reconnect fee (shut off for non-payment) | — | $25.00 |
| On/off water fee Non-emergency seasonal shutoffs; regular billing applies | — | $25.00 |
| Residential re-hookup Re-install and re-activation of meter | — | $600.00 |
| Commercial re-hookup/activation When meter has been removed | — | $950.00 |
| Meter tampering | — | $50.00 + damages |
| Water service availability fee All new services | — | $1,200.00 |
| Meter installation tap fee, 1" May be broken out depending on level of development | — | $5,000.00 |
| Meter installation tap fee, 2" May be broken out depending on level of development | — | $8,000.00 |
| Larger than 2" | — | Council approval |
| Extension fee | — | Full cost to owner |
Most homes pay
$58/month
The residential base rate covers 12,000 gallons. Each additional 1,000 gallons is $2.
Hauling water
Need to fill a tank?
Two stations, two very different purposes.
Residential coin-op station
- 30355 N 3rd Street — potable water for domestic and household use
- No account needed
- $0.50 per 50 gallons — quarters, $1 and $5 bills
- Monitored by 24/7 video; commercial use prohibited
- Help: Water Operator (208) 683-1130
Commercial bulk water
- 31611 Old Hwy 95 — non-potable, for commercial users with a city account
- Not for drinking or household use
- Apply with the Commercial Bulk Water Hauler Application
- $25 setup, $5 annual renewal, $10 per 1,000 gallons billed quarterly
- You get a unique access code and PIN after payment
Where your water comes from
The Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer
- city wells
- 3
- below the surface
- 150–280 ft
- gallons pumped each week
- 2–4M
- gallons a day flow past the Idaho–Washington line (est.)
- 650M
The aquifer begins at Lake Pend Oreille and flows southwest toward Spokane. Its natural quality is so high that it needs no treatment. One full-time certified operator and a certified backup run the system; City Hall handles billing.
Reports & forms
Water documents
- 2026 Annual Drinking Water ReportConsumer Confidence Report
- 2019 City of Athol Water Master Plan
- Water Service & New Meter Installation Application
- Commercial Bulk Water Hauler Application
Read the announcement: Our 2026 annual drinking water report is available.
Questions
Water questions
Don’t see yours?
Ask
Pete Weigman
Public Works / Water Operator
What do I need to pay my water bill online?
The name on the account, your account number (top right of your bill), your email address and phone number. Pay online.
How much does it cost to start water service?
There’s a $25.00 setup fee — title companies usually collect it at closing. Complete the Water Service application and return it to City Hall.
How much is the water bill in Athol?
The residential base rate is $58.00 a month for up to 12,000 gallons, plus $2.00 per additional 1,000 gallons.
Where can I fill a water tank?
The coin-op station at 30355 N 3rd Street sells potable water for household use at $0.50 per 50 gallons. Commercial haulers use the bulk station at 31611 Old Hwy 95 with a city account.
Is Athol’s water treated?
No treatment is needed. Athol’s water comes from the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, whose natural quality is very high. See the annual drinking water report for test results.
Water emergency after hours?
Call the Water Operator at (208) 683-1130. For billing, City Hall is open Monday–Thursday 9 am – 4:30 pm and Friday 8:30 am – 12:30 pm.